Patrick Chaplin: Book & Product Reviews

Know the Game - Darts by Deryk Brown

Many thousands of darts fans will be familiar with the ‘Know the Game’ (KTG) series and will welcome – as I do – the ‘Second Edition.’ This helpful guide by Deryk Brown includes all you need to know about rules and formats, choosing your darts, how to play and how to improve your game.

Darts first appeared in the KTG series in 1955 as part of publication ‘Know the Game – Inn Games.’ At that time the anonymous author recommended that ‘To be efficient…a dart should have a sharpened point made of steel, a barrel to give a good grip for the fingers, and a paper, feather, or moulded plastic flight.’ There was no mention of darts history or, for example, regional boards. However, all that changed in 1978 by which time darts had become so popular as a sport in its own right that a separate KTG book was published specifically about darts.

Its scope was much wider and author Deryk Brown included an outline of the history of the sport, discussed alternative dartboards and, of course, reference was made to the influence of tungsten on the game. Photographs featured the key stars of the day including Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Maureen Flowers. ‘Know the Game – Darts’ was reprinted with slight amendments to the text and new photos in 1984 and was republished in 1995.

Nine years on and with Deryk acknowledging help provided by Darts Historian, Patrick Chaplin, the WINMAU Dartboard Company and David Alderman of the BDO, Know the Game - Darts remains the indispensable basic guide to all those starting out in darts for the first time and for those who want to play just that little bit better. I am at a bit of a loss to understand why the full BDO Playing Rules need to be included but otherwise this is an excellent edition to any darters library.

Finally, it is refreshing to see a lady darter – the fabulous Trina Gulliver – on the front page. I think this is the first time that a female dart player has appeared on the cover of any darts publication produced in the UK.